The fight and action sequences here are EPIC. Cyn tells a Western-tinged sci-fi story of the redemption of Cyn, a cybernetic enforcer with a bloo3.5/5
The fight and action sequences here are EPIC. Cyn tells a Western-tinged sci-fi story of the redemption of Cyn, a cybernetic enforcer with a blood-soaked past.
I liked breakneck pacing, suspense, and characterization. On the flip side, the story was relatively predictable and not really groundbreaking.
Amelia is an unnerving epistolary (mostly) novella. A mom writes loving letters to her daughter. At first, she sounds almost normal, but not for long.Amelia is an unnerving epistolary (mostly) novella. A mom writes loving letters to her daughter. At first, she sounds almost normal, but not for long. Soon, readers realize something's wrong. Very, very wrong. Amelia's mother spirals into madness.
It's quick to read and well-thought-out, but I don't think it'll leave a lasting impression on me.
“The Wings Upon Her Back” is set in the divided city of Radezdha, ruled by the mecha sect led by the power-hungry Winged Vodaya. The story opens with “The Wings Upon Her Back” is set in the divided city of Radezdha, ruled by the mecha sect led by the power-hungry Winged Vodaya. The story opens with Winged Zemolai making the mistake of letting a spy go free. As a result, she loses everything; she finds herself cast away from her sect and physically maimed by her god.
There’s not much she can do. Another sect rescues her, but what choice does she have? She can either venture alone into a world that hates her or fight against the only world that has ever accepted her.
The chapters alternate between two timelines: Zemolai’s childhood and her arduous training to become Winged, and her adult path of disillusionment and fight for survival. Both parts are action-packed and emotionally charged. Zemolai ran away from home to join the Winged. Without getting into details, it required inhuman sacrifices, including blind obedience and eventually getting nerves wired into mechanical wings that allowed Winged to fly.
It shows how easy it is to succumb to the allure of authority and how easily revolutionary leaders turn into oppressive rulers. But of course, it's more complex than that - the gods left Radezdha and no longer care about wars or atrocities committed in their name. Zemolai's single-minded loyalty to the cause results in pain and the initial inability to see lies for lies.
The writing is good, with a strong narrative voice, and concise style. But it's also visible and sometimes gets in the way of simply telling the story. Especially at the beginning of the story, where certain details, such as the workings of the city and the gods' influence, were presented in exposition-heavy passages.
Other than that, it's still an impressive debut novel with vivid imagery, compelling characters, and action-packed sentences.
"Truth is a cruel teacher. It does not appease.It does not reconsider. Its lessons vary in delivery - sometimes tickling in over decades, sometim4.5/5
"Truth is a cruel teacher. It does not appease.It does not reconsider. Its lessons vary in delivery - sometimes tickling in over decades, sometimes crashing down all at once - but consistently disregard the desires of the student.
The Truth of the Aleke is an excellent sequel to The Lies of the Ayungo. It's self-contained and technically works as a standalone, but I highly encourage you to read the series in the publication order. It'll make the impact of the ending much stronger.
Five hundred years have passed since the events of The Lies of The Ajungo, and history has replaced truth. The City of Truth and its leaders have been at war with the Cult of Tutu and its cruel leader, Aleke, for three centuries. Both sides of the conflict have different versions of history, with neither fully interested in the truth.
Young Osi believes his city stands as the final bastion in the fight against the ruthless hordes of Aleke, who bring nothing but suffering and destruction. Aleke's actions seem to confirm his belief: their attacks leave the city wrecked and its citizens massacred. Osi survives (not gonna tell you how) and embarks on a quest to defeat Aleke and retrieve the ancient magical artifacts stolen from the City during the bloodbath.
His journey into the desert reveals the depth of the lies. And Osi's fate is brutal and gut-wrenching. Osi is a flawed and naive hero, desperate for truth, and easily manipulated by others. His desire for glory blinds him and results in rather poor choices. The clash of his youthful idealism with the harsh realities of the world and political cunning is painful to watch.
I loved how Utomi approached themes of truth, power, and history, showing their ambiguity and complexity. The way he packed excellent world-building in just 112 pages impressed me, too. And I can't forget about awesome action sequences and awesome magical powers that enhance the readability of the story.
The Forever Desert is shaping to be a brilliant trilogy of novellas somewhere on the intersection of dark fantasy and fable. I can’t wait to read the last one in the series....more
A solid supernatural thriller with an intriguing take on vampirism and people being people (petty, egoistic, destructive). Nothing ground-breaking butA solid supernatural thriller with an intriguing take on vampirism and people being people (petty, egoistic, destructive). Nothing ground-breaking but a solid read....more
Whoa, it's surprisingly dark. It begins with Carolanne, happily married and pregnant. After a while, Hetland takes readers into the past to illus3.5/5
Whoa, it's surprisingly dark. It begins with Carolanne, happily married and pregnant. After a while, Hetland takes readers into the past to illustrate how the idyllics started. It's during this journey that you realize things aren't what they seem on the surface, or in the Instagram posts so important to the protagonist. The narrative is told with simplicity and good timing.
Carolanne is obsessed with an image of a perfect, happy life and yearns to control the uncontrollable. Once she experiences a devastating loss, the story transforms into one of obsession and body horror. It's a quick yet engaging read, well-crafted and compelling.
Willow Wilson's Hunger is a well-written (if sometimes tropey) comic book about a treaty between humans and orcs against deadly Vangols who look 3.5/5
Willow Wilson's Hunger is a well-written (if sometimes tropey) comic book about a treaty between humans and orcs against deadly Vangols who look like oversized anorectic psychos.
Most fantasy readers are used to orcs vs. humans scenarios, and I liked how the author revitalized the trope. Both sides are good people and have their reasons not to trust each other. I admit I would prefer orcs to be more alien and not humanlike in stature and behavior, but you get what you get.
The art looks great— clean lines and saturated colors fit the story and the lore. And the high fantasy aesthetic, too. Action sequences are excellent.
In all, The Hunger and The Dusk is an immersive high-fantasy story that spins well-known tropes.
I had a blast reading An Inheritance of Magic. It’s entertaining and immersive. All thanks to a relatable protagonist, his struggles, the accessi4.5/5
I had a blast reading An Inheritance of Magic. It’s entertaining and immersive. All thanks to a relatable protagonist, his struggles, the accessible writing style, and, of course, his feline companion.
I would describe it as an urban fantasy with elements of progression fantasy. Much of the story revolves around protagonist’s efforts to become more capable and skilled. But let’s start at the beginning.
The story is narrated in the first person by Stephen Oakwood. He is a poor low-class kid from east London with a few (but loyal) friends and no family. His father disappeared, and his mother abandoned him when he was just a child. If something happens to him, no one will care. Why would anything happen to him? It turns out members of a rich family have an issue with some of Stephen’s skills and ancestry.
Stephen has been practicing Drucraft for years. With a moderate success; his Sigls (magically powered items) are as strong as a flashlight. Lacking formal education or funds to secure a tutor, he relies on his intuition and untapped potential. He embodies a classic underdog archetype and has to outsmart enemies that are wealthier, stronger, and more influential than him. And in London, the super-rich control everything, magic included.
Drucraft is no longer the domain of skilled practitioners; it has turned into a profitable industry, with corporations holding all the cards. Stephen’s assets include a low-wage job (fetching documents from the basement), a cat, and determination. With some luck, though, he makes do.
An Inheritance of Magic relies on familiar urban fantasy tropes and doesn’t break a new ground. Its strength lies in excellent execution, Jacka’s ability to write a likable protagonist and good pacing. The story feels deeply human; Stephen wants power to protect himself and Hobbes (cat) and live his life as he chooses. He wants to find his father and have a family again. He also tries to unlock the full potential of his Drucraft abilities.
Are there potential weaknesses? Indeed, there are. Drucraft is a well-researched magic system with lots of detailed rules. We learn about the rules, the world, and families alongside Stephen. This occasionally slows down the pacing. The same applies for Stephen’s “upgrading” and search for new Wells (places filled with Essentia) - it gets repetitive.
While I usually dislike hard magic systems, I liked Drucraft and the social commentary that comes with it. Anyone rich enough or with good connections can gain access to powerful magical abilities. Heck, they can literally order them out of a catalogue. Wealthy aristocratic families wield all the power. They also make sure the rich remain rich while those aspiring to improve their lives continue to struggle.
I’m genuinely intrigued and determined to read the sequel as soon as it becomes available....more
I have mixed feelings about this one. The first issue was great and drew me into the story. The incredible artwork helped.
Regrettably, as the st2.5/5
I have mixed feelings about this one. The first issue was great and drew me into the story. The incredible artwork helped.
Regrettably, as the story unfolded, it became evident that the authors lacked a clear vision for the story's direction. Was it about addiction? Fame? Trauma? Alien centipedes? Perhaps all of these?
Possibly so, BUT the ending leaves many questions unanswered, and the last two issues transitioned it into a splatter(ish) horror tale with minimal character development. The twists were there, sure, but none were clever.
I’m conflicted about this one. “Jubilee” is undeniably an imaginative sci-fi adventure that I mostly enjoyed. However, I have a few reservations3.5/5
I’m conflicted about this one. “Jubilee” is undeniably an imaginative sci-fi adventure that I mostly enjoyed. However, I have a few reservations, particularly with the ending, which didn’t quite resonate with me, hence my decision not to rate the book higher. But it changes little; it’s an engaging book, with excellent futuristic ideas, solid characters, and explosive action.
Detectives Col and Danee embark on a hastily arranged mission to retrieve the body of a prominent conservative politician who, it seems, got naughty on Jubilee. They quickly discover that the body has been swapped, and the deceased’s identity will bring even more trouble. As the situation gets more complicated, an unexpected bond forms between them. Which is tricky since Col is already married and will need Danee’s help in rescuing his wife.
The adventure combines scientific intrigue, imaginative twists, and a touch of romance. Things get crazy. In other words, don’t let my rating stop you from giving it a chance. My reservations revolve around the ending, which, while not to my personal liking, is likely to appeal to the majority of readers.
"Green Fuse Burning" is a thought-provoking novella that deserves attention. While it didn't leave me awestruck, I can certainly appreciate its appeal"Green Fuse Burning" is a thought-provoking novella that deserves attention. While it didn't leave me awestruck, I can certainly appreciate its appeal for readers who enjoy gradual, introspective tales centered around themes of grief, love, ecological consciousness, queer and indigenous politics, and death. To me, it felt too slow, but the slow reveal makes the story what it is. I guess it's a classic case of "It's not you, it's me."
Ejii Ugabe is a 14-year-old heroine living in a dystopian Niger changed by nuclear war and “Peace Bombs”. These bombs unleashed magic across the planeEjii Ugabe is a 14-year-old heroine living in a dystopian Niger changed by nuclear war and “Peace Bombs”. These bombs unleashed magic across the planet, tearing holes in the atmosphere between worlds. Some children got special gifts. Ejii can speak to shadows, and her friend Dikéogu can control the weather. Together, they could save or destroy the world.
I liked the idea and the setting of the story, but the way it was done could have been better. The characters seemed to lack depth and failed to truly come alive (subjective). Furthermore, the plotline followed a rather predictable and derivative trajectory, devoid of the unexpected twists and turns that would leave me on the edge of my seat.
A solid book, but nothing great here as some reviews suggest (and again, that’s a subjective opinion)....more
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